Los Angeles, CA. — March 19, 2026 — The Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation (TIBI) and UCLA Technology Development Group (TDG) announced today a collaboration to program the Advanced Organ and Tissue Repair session during MedTech Day at LABEST, one of Southern California’s premier innovation conferences.
Hosted annually by UCLA TDG, LABEST convenes more than 1,000 leaders from academia, industry, and the investment community to highlight breakthrough research, emerging technologies, and opportunities for collaboration across the life sciences and healthcare sectors.
Southern California has rapidly emerged as a growing hub for biomedical engineering, regenerative medicine, and life science innovation, driven by the region’s concentration of leading research universities, hospitals, biotechnology companies, and venture capital investors. Conferences such as LABEST play an important role in connecting these communities, accelerating the translation of scientific discoveries into real-world healthcare technologies and new startup ventures.
As part of this year’s event, the Terasaki Institute will partner with UCLA TDG to curate the Advanced Organ and Tissue Repair (AToR) session within the MedTech day of LABEST, which will feature a distinguished lineup of experts and thought leaders advancing the frontiers of regenerative medicine, organ engineering, and tissue repair.
The session comes at a time of growing urgency in regenerative medicine, as more than 100,000 patients in the United States currently await life-saving organ transplants. Advances in tissue engineering, biomaterials, and cellular therapies are opening new pathways to repair or replace damaged tissues and organs, offering the potential to transform how many diseases are treated in the future.
The session will include presentations from leading innovators in the field, including Dr. Dino Di Carlo, Chair of the UCLA Department of Bioengineering, a pioneer in microfluidic technologies and cellular engineering; Dr. Jun Chen, Professor of Bioengineering at UCLA, whose research focuses on advanced biomaterials and nanotechnology for biomedical applications; and Dr. Nasim Annabi, Associate Professor of Bioengineering and Biomolecular Engineering at UCLA, internationally recognized for her work in regenerative biomaterials, tissue engineering, and advanced therapeutic materials.
“We are honored to collaborate with UCLA’s Technology Development Group on this important session at LABEST,” said Stewart Han, President of the Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation. “Regenerative medicine and advanced organ repair represent some of the most promising areas in biomedical innovation today. Bringing together leading researchers, innovators, and investors to discuss these advances will help accelerate the translation of breakthrough technologies into real-world clinical solutions.”
LABEST has become a cornerstone event in the Southern California innovation ecosystem, showcasing new discoveries and fostering partnerships that move technologies from the laboratory to commercialization. The conference is supported by a wide range of academic, industry, and venture partners, including leading advocates of biomedical innovation such as Dr. Arie Belldegrun.
Through the AToR session, the Terasaki Institute and UCLA TDG aim to highlight emerging technologies and scientific advances that are transforming approaches to organ repair, tissue regeneration, and next-generation therapeutic strategies.
“LABEST brings together the people and ideas that drive innovation across Southern California’s life sciences ecosystem,” said Dr. Matthew Savary, Manager UCLA Ventures at UCLA Technology Development Group. “Partnering with the Terasaki Institute to present the Advanced Organ and Tissue Repair session allows us to showcase groundbreaking work in regenerative medicine and create meaningful dialogue between scientists, entrepreneurs, and investors.”
The Advanced Organ and Tissue Repair session will take place during MedTech Day at LABEST on May 20 at the Luskin Conference Center at UCLA, featuring presentations and discussions from leading investigators and innovators working at the forefront of regenerative medicine and organ repair.
More information about the conference and registration details can be found here:
https://web.cvent.com/event/f8a390ef-adba-4b76-9720-320702a74f49/summary?RefId=newsletter
For more information, please contact:
Stewart Han
Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation
Emai: shan@terasaki.org
Or:
Josh Jeanson
UCLA Technology Development Group
Email: Josh.Jeanson@tdg.ucla.edu
About the Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation
The Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation is a non-profit research organization that invents and fosters practical solutions that restore or enhance the health of individuals. The Institute aims to enhance the quality of human life through translational research and the acceleration of biomedical innovation. TIBI's research focuses on the development of biomaterials, cellular and tissue engineering, medical devices, and microfluidic systems.
About UCLA Technology Development Group
UCLA Technology Development Group (TDG) serves as a campus wide gateway to Innovation, Research and Entrepreneurship with a mission to: (i) promote UCLA innovation, research, teaching, and entrepreneurship to benefit society; (ii) create economic value to support UCLA’s scholarly and educational missions; and (iii) lead UCLA’s research community to bring innovation to market.
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